Moving log

Now it's down to the wire, the house is sold and movers are arriving in 3 days. So, perhaps a list of things and thoughts and what nots. Gotta remember to kill the cat and all that.

Hmmmm, kids are off to the countryside and we are left to batlle with dustballs and lists.

Dumb things going on this week:

Rent a platform to haul one of the cars (my project 404) back to München.
Bought a dog collar to control barks - don't think the horse riders will really enjoy my dog barking at them.

Lists upon lists.

If you're driving the moving truck yourself: Plan your route to make sure you avoid bridges that are lower than the height of the moving truck.

When I last moved I drove the truck under a bridge and it only just went through with centimeters to spare because it was weighed down with my stuff. If it was empty I'd have ripped the top off.

I'd really appreciate it if you'd let me know how that anti-bark collar works out. I've been thinking of getting one but haven't gotten around to researching the various types. Good luck with the move!

Vera

I am moving soon as well (in two weeks). Thankfully I can leave a lot of my stuff stored here though since I will be moving back next year (October probably) so while I do have to pack everything and decide on what to take the move itself will not be such an ordeal.

Can't drive the truck (we have so much junk three guys will pass out by this weekened form the shock).
I am driving car, dog, daughter 1, cochon d'inde, and hauling old classic car. Mrs ZM and other daughters will follow on plane.

Lists

Make insurance evaluations
Wrap statues
Take down pictures
Eat chocolate, drink tea
Drop off tables and others sundries not making trip
Call a thousand actors of our daily grind (banks and post and the guys that empty the septic tank)
Kiss the Seine goodbye

Edit: drop phone here and get phone there...

And you Mariposa? Where will you flutter towards?

Munich first, on August 9th, and then Barcelona on the 29th, and in between I'll also be in London for a few days (12th to the 17th).
My brother is picking me up in our parents' car (me and my stuff ). I won't be back in Heidelberg until October 07 so I can only leave stuff here that I definitely won't need until then. It's kind of sad to part with my stuff for so long - not to mention my apartment (I will probably get it back when I come back).

You are moving from Paris to Munich? Or from where to where?

I could add a list as well:

- notice to the GEZ that I'm moving out of the country - already did that, they then sent a letter back whether I am moving permanently or only temporarily because if I am keeping my apartment with the TV, I have to pay their fee even if I am not in the country. Stupid, so I wrote I am not keeping my apartment and I sold the TV (okay it'll be in storage but anyway it won't be in some apartment), so I hope they send my confirmation soon.
- notice to my landlords - already did that two days ago (I only have two weeks notice)
- have my 2nd place of residence in this town removed - still need to do that
- cancel Bahncard - already did that
- change address with the university and hand in my leave - still need to do that
- change address with various companies, mostly the ones that send me bills that I have to pay - still have to do that
- pack up everything and clean the apartment - still have to do that (bah!)

There's a long checklist on this TT Wiki page 'Moving Away'. Please feel free to add anything that may help others!

@UA: Thanks for the link, I'll look and add, if I have something useful. This is more a thread about going from the general to the specific experience. There is a great book - Life, A User's Manual (translated from French) by Perec which deqls q bit qbout lists, menus and the intrinsic poetics of that. It is a bit of what I am trying to capture and have others capture. Despite the hassle, change is a sweet moment.

@Mariposa: Yes, Paris to Munich. I've been residing in Germany since February and now am pulling the rest of the elastic rubber-band to bring home, family and trappings bouncing along. Resistance is low but inertia is high.

light-bulbs and wiring for lamps
water-bottles
pressure gauge
cards with new address
usb key for wife
the girls' swing and the laughter and sounds they bring

edit: UA - that list is pretty short and not that useful. Perhaps at a later date I'll look and add my centimes worth ...

Well I was trying to give information when writing the Wiki site, but not too much so as to saturate the reader with TMI, but whatever.

Oh, hey, no problem - no offence meant, thanks, perhaps let me add a qualifier (to me, at this stage).

Perhaps we need an all encompassing TT moving guide (what to do 3 months before, 1 month, etc...) my relocation agent gave a mini-guide and a moving company another...

and its better than http://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Moving_to_Munich

That's pretty much impossible to do as it's not standard; some contracts say 3 mths, other companies ask for more or even less...

There are many websites out there with info on general moving preparations i.e. when to start packing, when to start gathering packing material, changing addresses etc, but I don't see how it's possible to do one here for those leaving Germany. First of all because of the regional differences (in Munich you have to go to the KVR but it's called something else in Berlin) and secondly because it's different depending on the country you move to for example, or if you're German or not, European or not etc.

It's a nice idea but practically very hard to implement unless you want to make a guide which is 50 pages long including all possible scenarios for every kind of reader, at which point not many people would probably bother sifting through all of the information! Quicker to search on TT for the most up-to-date info.

Ok, how about adding a link to some of those general moving sites, any you found useful?

And BTW, I'm moving to Munich - I'd guess it would be the other entry in the wiki that needs input...

Here is a small addition - a travel bag - with ... papers (permits, passports, whatnot), tools (knife, screwdrivers (including a small electrical), pliers, etc), clothes, sleeping bag, local phone numbers, lightbulbs and a lamp, Can opener, Paper towels, Any needed medication ...

Oh, the wonder of it all, found the following on top of one of the girl's dressers.
Explains a lot...

and the baggage

I think I'm talking to myself...

Short versioon: Don't let daughter keep keys, then have daughter put keys in a bag, then pack bag by Mrs.

We're hanging on your every word...keep talking

Moved in now - 2700 kms later (Pairs-Munich-Paris-Munich) over the weekend - the good news is that the Internet works (30 minute to get it going - a record I think, and here I was ready to call those guys you all rave about)

No phone yet.

Memorable notes - buy a hammer, buy several, keep one in car, with knifes and screwdrivers.

Moving means finding useless things you didn't know you had. Our favorite word, a sweet thing we whisper to each other is ..."ebay"

Odd objects no one would recognize.